Always wear your seatbelt!!! UA 1427 (DEN-PHX) on 4/15
Apr 16, 2008, 4:42 pm
#31
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Apr 16, 2008, 5:28 pm
#32
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Apr 16, 2008, 6:37 pm
#33
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I always wear my seatbelt when seated ... even since the 1988 Aloha Airlines flight where the roof tore off and only one FA (who was not belted in) died because everyone had their seats belted.
http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/v...Aloha+Airlines
Good motivation there...
http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/v...Aloha+Airlines
Good motivation there...
Apr 16, 2008, 6:40 pm
#34
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Apr 16, 2008, 8:23 pm
#36
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That is the one that makes me absolutely religious about having my seatbelt on. I've never experienced serious turbulence, at most a couple of overhead bins popping open and a couple of spilled drinks. But the prospect of the lid coming off the plane...that'll make me buckle every time!
Apr 16, 2008, 8:31 pm
#37
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I sat next to an FA on that flight on my way home to SFO on UA423 last night.
It was pretty ugly -- the FAs were rolling the carts down the aisle servicing passengers when the plane dropped. She said that the plane dropped ~700 feet and pitched about 70-75 degrees. The pilots were fighting to gain control of the Airbus (she said something about the Airbuses don't let the pilots retake control unless there's more than 60 or 65 degree pitch?).
It was pretty ugly -- the FAs were rolling the carts down the aisle servicing passengers when the plane dropped. She said that the plane dropped ~700 feet and pitched about 70-75 degrees. The pilots were fighting to gain control of the Airbus (she said something about the Airbuses don't let the pilots retake control unless there's more than 60 or 65 degree pitch?).
Apr 16, 2008, 9:31 pm
#38
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Right. Because FAs would never talk to the captain or FO when the plane landed to find out what happened. 
Another endorsement for wearing your seatbelt at all times. And to always know where the emergency exits are. Might sound mundane, but I still do it after over a million miles traveled.
Another endorsement for wearing your seatbelt at all times. And to always know where the emergency exits are. Might sound mundane, but I still do it after over a million miles traveled.
Apr 16, 2008, 10:02 pm
#39
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Apr 16, 2008, 10:05 pm
#40
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That's funny, just yesterday two of my pilots were talking Airbus v. Boeing. They are not Airbus fans "because the plane wants to have the control". No, I don't know what happened, but I've heard these complaints more than once.
No, I don't know what happened, but I've heard these complaints more than once.
Apr 16, 2008, 10:39 pm
#41
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How can anything in the cabin - with the normal control forces of the plane - become a 'projectile'?
Even negative g forces do not happen in turbulence and the few famous cases were all negligent operation of the controls. So the few and sparse injuries thans to turbulence are not FAs being rammed into the ceiling but people injured by falling other people and food carts.
So sadly enough wearing that seat belt doesn't really save you from the damages of choppy air
.
Apr 16, 2008, 11:08 pm
#42
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"Imagine the absolute worst turbulence you're likely to experience. How far does the plane drop?"
"Ten to twenty feet."
Maybe Larry can confirm if this has a kernel of truth to it.
Apr 17, 2008, 8:53 am
#43
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Oh, rubbish. I'm a private pilot and I've watched the altimeter lose 200 feet very quickly with my own eyes.